Motorized boat stabilizing units



July 9, 1968 L. LO BUE 3,391,667

MOTORIZED BOAT STABILIZING UNITS Filed Jan. 10, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l N VEN TOR. LOU/.9 L 0 80E MAL...

ATTGRNEYS July 9, 1968 L. LO BUE 3,391,667

MOTORIZED BOAT STABILIZING UNITS Filed Jan. 10, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. tall/5' (0 805 Mgr-31pm ATTGQAEYJ United States Patent 3,391,667 MOTORIZED BOAT STABILIZING UNITS Louis Lo Bue, Paterson, N.J., assignor to Aqua Stabes, Inc., Paterson, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Jan. 10, 1967, Ser. No. 608,346 12 Claims. (Cl. 114--66.5)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to an actuatable stabilizing unit or units mounted to, or integral to, either inboard or outboard, of a water craft wherein a stabilizing unit or units extends longitudinally with respect to the craft and has pivotally mounted tabs or plates intermediate the length of the unit, the tabs actuatable by power means to provide a proper angle for the craft either by raising or lowering the bow or stern and may additionally be employed as steering devices.

The present invention relates to boat stabilizing units and more particularly to motorized trim tab attachments for a power driven boat.

The efficiency of a power craft with respect to speed and comfort depends in great stead upon the planing angle of the craft which has a direct correlation to the forward motion of the boat and the turbulence of the water. In my prior application, Ser. No. 584,416 filed Oct. 5, 1966 there was disclosed a self-actuating trim tab providing for self adjusting of the craft in motion. While this device has solved problems such as high bow altitude, unequal weight distribution and improper planing angle, the problems of unfavorable weather and water conditions or a following sea on planing hulls and shallow draft boats, among others were still unsolved.

Boat producers selling to a mass market must of necessity design a compromise craft, that is, a boat which will be used by various purchasers in various conditions rang ing for example from sheltered waters, lakes, rivers, or the open sea. With an option of power plants and the desire to reach as many needs as possible no single craft could be designed which will give best performance under all conditions.

Even in specialized boat designs such as for example where speed is the primary factor, in lessening the draft of the craft compensating steps such as by the provision of weight is necessitated to provide planing.

Even in these modified designed craft conditions such as a following sea creates a problem where a pilot can lose control of his craft to the point where the plowing or rolling of the craft lifts the stern or rudder out of or partially out of the water so as to seriously impede proper steering and/ or control of the craft.

According to the present invention an actuatable stabilizing unit or units is aflixed to the craft wherein such units are mounted at a point outward of or integral to and inboard of the craft extending longitudinally with respect to the craft, such units having pivotally mounted tabs or plates intermediate the length of the unit, the tabs actuatable to provide a proper angle for the craft either to raise or lower the bow or stern. The device of the present invention additionally provides a steering device which may be employed as a primary or backup steering system.

Although such novel feature or features believed to be characteristic of the invention are pointed out in the claims, the invention and the manner in which it may be carried out may be further understood by reference to the description following and the accompanying drawlngs.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the trim tabs of the present invention atfixed to the transom of a craft.

3,391,667 Patented July 9, 1968 FIG 2 is a section of FIG. 1 along lines 2-2 showing operative positions.

FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a mounting for the motor of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an inboard embodiment of the present invention.

Referring noW to the figures in greater detail, where like reference numbers denote like parts in the various figures.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stabilizing units 1 of the present invention are generally employed in pairs aflixed to the transom or stern of the craft 3. Although such stern mounting is shown, the stabilizing units 1 may be mounted along the sides of the craft so long as the trim tabs 4 extend longitudinally with respect to the craft.

As more particularly shown in FIG. 2, the stabilizing unit 1 comprises a trim tab 4 of a substantially flat rectangular configuration having upwardly flanged sides 5. A series of registered openings 6 may be provided along the flanged sides 5 to provide varied pivot points for the tab 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the tab 4 is pivotally mounted within a housing 7 through side plates 8, the housing 7 providing a mount for afiixation to the craft 3 such as by ordinary means such as screws 9 through the rear section 10 of the housing 7.

The housing 7 need not be an integral unit as shown and may merely consist of side plates such as side plates 8 with an L-shaped configuration (not: shown) so as to provide a mounting surface to the craft 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side plates 8 are substantially L-shaped and a sloping roof section 11 may be provided.

The pivotal mounting of the tab 4 to side plates 8 may be affected by ordinary means such as by the insertion of a pivoting member 13 through a preselected opening 12 of side plate 8 and a preselected opening 6 of tab 4 and securing by ordinary means, such as by washers and bolts (not shown).

To aid in assembly, the pivotal member 13 may be a single rod which interconnects side plates 8 with tab 4 and side flanges 5.

The power unit 14 which is shown as an electric motor is mounted in vertical relationship to the housing 7, and as shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 4 comprises an en cased unit preferably in a water tight enclosure mounted onto an L-bracket mount 15, the vertical leg of the L acting as a mounting plate for affixation by ordinary means such as screws 15a to the transom 2 of the craft 3.

Afiixation of the power unit 14 to the L-bracket 15 may similarly be readily accomplished by screw mounting.

A shaft 16 interconnects the power unit 14 and the tab 4, the shaft 16 aflixed to the underside of the power unit 14. An opening 17 is provided in bracket 15 for such interconnection.

The shaft 16 is shown as a jack screw configuration wherein a threaded section 18 is interconnected within a mated shaft 19, the rotation of the threaded section 18 determining the extension and retraction length of the shaft 16.

The interconnection of the shaft 16 with the power unit 14 is preferably accomplished by a universal joint 20. A grease boot 21 may be provided for the joint 20. The intel-connection of the shaft 16 with the tab 4 is preferably accomplished by the provision of a ball joint such as the rubber ball slip joint 22 as shown.

The power unit 14 is preferably a geared down two way motor and has an automatic overload shut-off. As shown a grease fitting 25 may be provided on the shaft 19. As shown FIGS. 3 and 4 when mounted on the transom 2 the power unit 14 is so situated that it may be employed as a boarding step and a pad 23 may be affixed to the top of the power unit 14 for this purpose.

The power unit 14 derives its power source from conventional means such as a 12 volt D.C. battery (not shown) mounted inboard of the craft 3 and interconnected by wires 24 to the power unit 14 and can be readily actuatable by simple push button controls (not shown) in the helm of the craft.

In operation, the tab 4 can be pivoted such as shown in FIG. 2 so that the inboard edge of the tab 4 is either raised, lowered or level with differing gradations of angulation. In raised position the tab will cause the raising of the stern and the lowering of the bow, and in lowered position the opposite effect, that is, the raising of the bow and the lowering of the stern will be effected.

In such manner adjustments, by actuation of the power unit 14 so as to cause a rotation of the shaft 16 so as to extend or retract the shaft 16 can be made so as to compensate for speed, draft, weather conditions, etc.

When employed in pairs, the stabilizing units 1 of the present invention may also be used as a steering device providing both push button steering and a back-up safety system in the event of a defect or mishap in conventional steering equipment. For example, by lowering the starboard tab the craft in forward motion will turn starboard. By lowering the port tab, the craft in forward motion will turn port.

As show-n in FIG. 5, the stabilizing units 1 of the present invention may be both integral to and inboard of the craft 3. An inset portion 26 may be made in the hull 27 of the craft 3 adapted to receive therein the tab 4. If desired a tab housing may be provided within the inset portion 26, or as shown the inner walls 28 of the inset portion 26 may act as mounting means for the tab 4.

The shaft 16 extends upward through the top 29 of the inset portion 26 and is interconnected with the power unit 14 which is mounted to the top 29. The shaft 14 fitting through the top 29 is preferably water tight and such is readily accomplished by having the threaded section 18 of the shaft 14 internal of the craft 3 whereas the mated shaft section 19 is within the inset portion 26.

The water tight fitting 30 between the shaft 16 and the top 29 is preferably of the type so as to allow some lateral movement of the shaft 16 such as by having an arcuate opening and rubberized fitting arrangement.

The terms and expressions which are employed are used as terms of description; it is recognized, though that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

Having thus described certain forms of the invention in some detail, what is claimed is:

1. A stabilizing unit adapted for use with a water craft comprising, a stabilizing tab, said stabilizing tab extending longitudinally with respect to said craft, stabilizing tab mounting means, pivot means, said pivot means intermediate the length of said stabilizing tab mounting means adapted to allow said stabilizing tab to pivot therebetween and stabilizing tab actuation means including power means, said power means adapted to actuate a shaft, said shaft interconnecting said power means and said stabilizing tab, said stabilizing tab adapted to pivot upon actuation of said power means.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said stabilizing tab mounting means includes a first member, a second member and means maintaining said first and second member in fixed position.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said pivot means include a pair of upwardly extending side flanges on said stabilizing tab, each of said flanges having at least one opening therethrough, openings On said stabilizing tab mounting means in registration with said side flange openings and fixed means passing through said registered openings whereby said stabilizing tab may rotate about said fixed means.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said stabilizing tab mounting means includes a roof member.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said stabilizing tab actuation means includes mounting means for said power means.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said power means include a power unit; a housing for said power unit; a power unit mounting member and power unit actuation means.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said housing includes a pad, said power unit in mounted position adapted to act as a boarding step.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said power means is in vertical relationship to said stabilizing tab.

9. The invention of claim 1 wherein said power means is interconnected to said shaft by a universal joint and said stabilizing tab is interconnected to said shaft by a universal joint.

10. The invention of claim 1 wherein said shaft includes a threaded section and a mated section, the rotation of said threaded section determining the extension and retraction length of said shaft.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein said mounting means include an inset portion in the hull of said craft and said stabilizing unit is mounted inboard of said craft.

12. The invention of claim 1 wherein said stabilizing unit is an integral part of said craft.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,046,928 7/1962 Sherrill 1l4-66.5 3,159,131 12/1964 Frederick ll4--66.5

ANDREW H. FARRELL, Primary Examiner. 

